Portland Copwatch – Oregon Mental Health Archive

Semi-annual Police Review Board report shows little concern for people with mental illness, reveals “Darren Wilson” cops’ fates

January 19, 2016

ANALYSIS: Semi-annual Police Review Board report shows little concern for people with mental illness, reveals “Darren Wilson” cops’ fates From: Portland Copwatch (a project of Peace and Justice Works) To: Christopher Paille, Police Review Board Coordinator, Chief Larry O’Dea, Portland Police Bureau cc: IPR Director Constantin Severe,Auditor Mary Hull Caballero, Mayor/Police Commissioner Charlie Hales, Members […]

Shrugging Off Widespread Community Concerns, Council Pushes Forward with Police Reform Appeal

October 26, 2014

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From the Portland Mercury, October 22, 2014 As expected, the Portland City Council tonight has agreed to pursue a narrowly framed, but potentially troublesome appeal of the city’s police reform agreement with the US Department of Justice—casting aside advocates’ and lawyers’ insistent concerns that doing so would shatter their sense of trust in city hall. […]

CRC demands punishment for cop who pepper-sprayed homeless campers

August 15, 2014

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Portland Mercury, August 13, 2014 Police commanders reviewing the chaotic aftermath of a homeless camp sweep beneath the Morrison Bridge last October all agreed on one thing: Officer Todd Engstrom made a mistake. By suddenly grabbing a camper’s dog—which had been running loose, but not menacing anyone—Engstrom turned an already tense confrontation into something violent. […]

Judge Simon, unimpressed with idea of dismissing lawsuit, or of unmonitored agreement, gives parties two more weeks to get it right

March 25, 2014

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The Skanner, March 25, 2014 A final decision on the proposed settlement agreement between the U.S. Department of Justice and the City of Portland has been pushed back to April 14. At the hearing, reported in The Oregonian, U.S. District Court Judge Michael Simon said he wanted an annual review of progress on the agreement, […]

‘Broken promises’ at Fairness Hearing

February 19, 2014

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The Portland Mercury, Feb. 19, 2014 It was billed as a signature piece of a proposed legal settlement meant to answer federal accusations that Portland police officers engage “in a pattern or practice” of using excessive force against people in mental-health crisis. READ – Our spoken testimony at the Fairness Hearing READ – Our written testimony […]

Reports show steady increase in police uses of force against people with mental illness, homeless

November 15, 2013

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By Denis C. Theriault, Portland Mercury, Nov. 15, 2013 The most recent quarterly report from the police bureau on how its officers use force—and against whom—offers some cause for concern in the wake of news last week that the city and Portland Police Association had found relative peace over federal reforms. For reasons still unknown, […]

City Council defers changes to IPR

October 24, 2013

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By Helen Silvis, The Skanner, Oct. 23, 2013 Portland City Council deferred a decision on a string of proposals from the auditor’s office to make changes to the Independent Police Review Division. The council will address the proposals Dec. 4 after more study. Constantin Severe, IPR director, introduced the new proposals, which include: giving the […]

MHAP, others will offer testimony on police review

October 24, 2013

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By Maxine Bernstein, The Oregonian, Oct. 23, 2013 A number of proposed Portland City Code changes that would expand the powers of the Independent Police Review Division and require more information be made public on the police chief’s disciplinary decisions are to go before City Council this afternoon. The League of Women Voters, Portland Copwatch […]

Police oversight official stepping down

May 9, 2013

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By Maxine Bernstein, The Oregonian, May 7, 2013 Mary-Beth Baptista, who has served as director of Portland’s Independent Police Review Division, is leaving the job in mid-June, Portland’s city auditor announced Tuesday. Baptista has led the division, the intake center for complaints against Portland police, since 2008 after working as a Multnomah County deputy district […]

Remember Kendra James at vigil – this Sunday, May 5

April 29, 2013

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Kendra James 10 Years Later Memorial Vigil To Remember Woman Slain by Police in 2003 Sunday, May 5, 2013, 5:00 PM 931 N Skidmore On Sunday, May 5, the Albina Ministerial Alliance Coalition for Justice and Police Reform will lead a memorial vigil for Kendra James, the young woman killed by Officer Scott McCollister exactly […]